Does recreational hunting have a role in conservation?

Associate Professor Graham Hall, of the School of Environmental and Rural Science at the University of New England, puts forward the question: Does recreational hunting have a role in conservation? His paper seeks to define the term ‘recreational hunting’ and explore whether it contributes to the conservation of wildlife. The author anticipates that one of the biggest hurdles to overcome will be to convince the anti-hunting lobby that recreational hunting is ethical, that hunting is humane, and that the welfare of the quarry is paramount.

Professor Hall delves into a complex scenario where recreational hunters use a variety of technologies from archery, falcons, ferrets, firearms and even dart guns to pursue their quarry. Just as broadly, the quarry may range from large mammals to small birds, amphibians such as cane toads and reptiles such as crocodiles. For these reasons, Professor Hall views recreational hunting as a multi-layered activity that occurs in a multi-layered social and cultural context.

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